Month: July 2012

The baby boomer population is starting to hit that golden age at which dementia is an increasing concern. One in eight Americans over 65 has Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. Yes, it’s a good idea to have an advanced health directive and a durable power of attorney—but those are really separate issues. … Read More

So, you have a child custody arrangement and you want it changed. Child custody arrangements can always subject to the court changing them, even if they say “Final,” and even if the parties signed an agreement saying they wouldn’t change it. … Read More

Many times even when your rights are vindicated in court and you get a judgment—the trouble is enforcing that judgment and getting paid. I was recently contacted by a friend who won a small claims case. When she walked out of court a winner, she felt like Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird. … Read More

Here is an overview of some common issues that arise when a small (or any) business owner negotiates with a landlord over a lease agreement. Routinely, landlords write leases and tenants sign them without negotiating, changing language, or having their attorneys read over them.… Read More

All too often in family law parties stonewall one another. They make frivolous requests. They inundate the other side with faxes, emails, messages, letters, useless interrogatories, and more. They refuse to accept a very reasonable settlement offer.
What can a poor spouse do, but go to trial or cave and take a low-ball settlement offer?… Read More

California changed domestic partnership law drastically in 2005. Many code sections related to domestic partnership were revised, including the one regarding terminating domestic partnerships. Post-2005 there are two tracks that domestic partners can take when they want to “divorce” one another.… Read More

California state laws always start in January or July. This year’s laws going into effect the other day on July 1 are a strange mix. If you ever wondered what your state assemblymen were talking about in the green carpeted hall (that really is some ugly carpeting) in Sacramento—its foie gras, autism, tattoos, and bullying. … Read More

“Having a child is like a twenty-year escrow with tough terms and a sale-leaseback at the end.”
-Bjorn Farrugia
Bjorn is a real estate agent focusing on high end homes in LA County, such as Malibu, Pacific Palisades, Santa Monica, Brentwood, etc. … Read More

Joint Filings:
Many times during a divorce, Parties are tempted to file taxes as “married filing jointly.” Usually, but not always, your tax burden will be lower filing jointly, depending on your respective incomes, deductions, and credits. The main disadvantage of filing jointly is that both spouses are jointly and severally liable for taxes on the return, including any tax deficiencies, interest, and penalties.… Read More

California is the most populous state in the U.S. and is incredibly diverse. Spanish is the state’s second most spoken language. Latinos make up 40% of the state’s population, and 25% of people in California cite Spanish as their primary language. … Read More